Ice-making machine.



H. E. WILLSIE. ICE MAKING- MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13. 1912.

1,1 86,463. Patented June 6, 1916.

W/T/VESSES: 4 1 mm r00" H. E. WILLSIE.

ICE MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED uov.13. 1912.

Patented June 6, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

.JM MM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY ELMEB WILLSIE, or ommroan, NEW JERSEY.

ICE-MAKING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 13, 1912. Serial No. 731,115.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY Emma (VILL- sIE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cranford. in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented ceitain new and useful Ice-Making Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to ice making and refrigerating apparatus in which a gas is driven off by heat from an absorbing .liquid,

condensed to liquid form by cooling under pressure and then by evaporation and resimple design and construction that the machine may be sold cheaply.

Another object of my invention is to provide means, in such a machine, for continuous refrigeration.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the .accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a vertical diagrammatic view of the apparatus; Fig. 2, a vertical longitudinal View of the machine; Fig. 8, a plan view of the machine; Fig. 4, a vertical end view of the machine; Fig. 5, a vertical cross section through the expansion chamber or evaporator on the line waq in Fig. 3; Fig. 6, a vertical section through the expansion chamber or evaporator on the line z-z, Fig. 2; Fig. 7 a vertical section showing the check valves in the condensing pipe; and Fig. 8, a vertical longitudinal section through the generator and its circulating devices.

Similar characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In this machine I have successfully used a mixture of aqua ammonia and anhydrous an ice making machine suitable for use on.

ammonia having a strength of about 30 Baum and I will refer to these chemicals in this description although other chemicals having similar properties may be used.

Referring to the diagram in Fig. -1, for a general explanation of my apparatus, heat from the kerosene burners 10, 10, applied to the generator tank 11 drives ofi' ammonia gas from the generator, or still-absorber which passes through the pipes 12, 13 into the rectifier 14. The pipe 14 condenses any water vapor that may have gone over with the gas and drains it back through chamber 22 to the generator 11. Cooling water fills the tank 16. In the pipes 15, 15 the ammonia gas is liquefied and drained into the drum 17. When the stove has burned out the pressure in the generator falls, because of its cooling, and the machine reverses its action. The liquid ammonia from the drum 17 is forced up the pipe 18 into the freezing tank 19. Here the liquid ammonia evap- Patented June 6, 1916. i

crates, producing a freezing effect, itsgas passing through pipes 24 and 14 to the chamberv 22. v aqua. ammonia, which has drained from .pipe 14, to the level of the dotted line a.

The 'end of pipe 13 dips below the level of this liquid and the end of the pipe 24 is at Consequently the pressure of" the level a. the returning gas forces liquid up the pipe 13 to a height suflicient to overcome the static pressure of the liquid in the generator and then the gas passes through the pipe 2 1 into the generator where it is absorbed. After the absorption is completed the machine is ready for another operation.

In practice I follow the constructions shown in the other figures which I will describe in more detail. The stove is the usualv blue flame fountain feed kerosene stove and needs no description. The kerosene reservoir 10 I make of a size to hold the proper quantity of kerosene for one operation of the machine, so that filling the reservoir and lighting the burners is theonly attention required. To conserve the heat I surround This chamber is filled with the generator with a. sheet iron jacket 23,

provided with a chimney 25. The jacket may be lined with asbestos. The generator is wound with a wire 26 to increasethe su'r face exposed'to the air.v This also strengthens the generator tank- 'The Wire 2 h a rectangular section and is wound on while red hot so that upon contraction a' good metallic contact is made with the generator.

In making the static reversing valve I prefer to inclose the pipe 13, which is comparatively small, within the pipe 12, as shown in Fig. 8. The pipe 12 is also surrounded by a reservoir 27 containing water. The chamber 22 may be merely the closed end of the condensing pipe 14 projecting into the pipe 12 far enough to admit the insertion of the lower end of the pipe 13. An end of the pipe 24 is inserted up into pipe 14 to the level of the dotted line (a. Vith this construction after liquid draining down pipe 14 reaches the level (a the excess liquid flows down pipe 24 into the generator 11. lVhen gas is leaving the generator it goes up pipe 12, down pipe 13, and bubbles up through the aqua ammonia in chamber 22. The reservoir 27, the chamber 22 and the pipe 14 assist in condensing steam passing over with the ammonia gas. \Vhen gas is passing out of the generator with the level of the liquid in the generator being at c the level in pipe 24 is at (Z. \Vhen gas is returning to the generator liquid is raised in pipe 13 to the level 7) and lowered in pipe 24 to the level The gas starts to flow through the upwardly inclined mixing pipe 28 but being then in contact with weak aqua ammonia is absorbed. The pipe 28 assists in circulating the liquid in the generator, thus facilitating absorption of the returning gas. The liquid enters the hole 29 in the pipe 28 and, absorbing gas, becoming warmer and lighter flows out the upper end. The generator is supported by the angle irons 30, 31 attached to the water tank 16.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7 when the generator is being heated the gas passes from the pipe 14 to the pipe 15 past the ball check valve 32. This valve prevents the gas from returning this way and thus forces liquid from drum 17 to tank 19. The ball check valve 33 prevents hot gas from entering tank 19 from pipe 14. If aqua ammoniacollects in tank 19 it may be drained out by opening hand valve 34, and it may also be drained out automatically through pipe 36. As the liquid ammonia collects in tank 19 above the level of 36 the heavier aqua ammonia flows from the bottom of 19 through the pipes 35, 36, 36 24 and 14 back to the generator.

The evaporator 19 is two thirds surrounded on the sides with ice chambers 20, 21, into which the water' to be frozen i poured. These chambers, are somewhateccentric to the evaporator to facilitate the removal of ice and are preferably formed of sheet metal Welded to tank-19. A partition 21 separates the ice cakes at the bottom. As soon as freezing is finished melting begins and ice in 20 and 21 thaws loose from the metal. A salt brine may be put in 20 and 21 and; the water to be frozen placed in pails set in the brine. The evaporator 19 is surrounded by insulation 37, and a refrigerator for cold storage of food may also be used by removing partition 38. This partition is placed in the position shown during the heating period and prevents heat from passing from the evaporator to the food chamber. During the evaporating period the partition is removed. -.-\t the beginning of the heating period ice is transferred from 20, 21 to the food chamber. \Vhen continuous refrigeration is desired the hand valve 39 is closed while the generator is being heated and the melting ice in 20, 21 keeps the refrigerator cool during the heating period. It is intended to sell the machine charged with liquid as described.

Having. now described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an ice making machine, the combination with a still-absorber of an inclined pipe adapted to be entirely submerged in the liquid in the still-absorber, openings in the upper and lower ends of said pipe, and means for admitting the gas to be absorbed into the lower end of said pipe.

2. In an ice machine, a still-absorber, adapted to contain a liquid, a pipe through which gas may flow from and return to said still-absorber, a chamber with which said pipe. eomnmnicatcs and which chamber is adapted to contain a liquid a conduit leading from said chamber and discharging into said still-absorber above the level of liquid therein, means whereby the liquid in said chamber prevents gas flowing toward said still-absorber from flowing through said conduit, and a second conduit leading from said chamber and discharging into said stillabsorber below the level of the liquid therein.

3. In an ice making machine, the combination of still-absorber, an inclined pipe adapted to be filled with liquid from the still-absorber, an opening in the lower end of said pipe adapted to admit an inflow of liquid from the still absorber, an opening in the upper end of said pipe adapted to permit an outflow of liquid from the pipe into the still-absorber, and means for admitting the gas to be absorbed into the lower end of said pipe.

4. In an ice making machine, the combination with an absorber of a pipe adapted to be filled with liquid from the absorber, an opening in one end of said pipe adapted to admit a flow of weak liquor from the absorber into said pipe, means for admitting the gas to be absorbed into'said pipe near said opening, and an opening in the other end of said pipe for the flow of the strengthened liquor from the pipe into the absorber; said pipe being further adapted to hold the gas and the liquid into contact during their passage through the pipe.

5. In an ice machine, a stillabsorber adapted to contain a liquid, a pipe through which gas may fiow from and return to said still-absorber, a chamber with which said pipe communicates and which chamber is adapted to contain a liquid, two conduits leading from said chamber and into said sti1labsorber, one of said conduits discharging above the level of liquid in the still-absorber and the other discharging below said level, and means whereby the liquid contained within said chamber prevents gas flowing toward said still-absorber from flowing through said first mentioned conduit.

6. In an ice machine, a stillabsorber adapted to contain a liquid, a pipe through which gas may flow from and return to said still-absorber, a chamber with which said pipe communicates and which chamber is adapted to contain a liquid, a conduit extending in an upward direction from below the level of the liquid in said chamber and which conduit terminates within said stillabsorber above the level of the liquid therein, and a second conduit connecting said chamber with said still-absorber and which conduit terminates below the level of the liquid in said still-absorber. p

7. In an ice making machine the combination of a. cylindrical generator, means for securing the generator in a horizontal position, pipes connecting one end of the generator with a condenser and an evaporator in an operative cycle, and means for supplying a predetermined amount of heat to the end of the generator opposite the pipe openmgs.

8. In an ice machine, a still-absorber, adapted to contain a liquid, a pipe through which gas may flow from and return to said still-absorber, a chamber with which said pipe connects and which chamber is adapted to contain a liquid, a conduit connecting said still-absorber above the level of the liquid therein with said chamber and which conduit terminates below the level of the liquid in said chamber, and extends above said level, so that the liquid within said chamber may flow up into said conduit, and a sec ond conduit connecting said chamber with said still absorber and terminating below the level of the liquid therein. a

9. In an ice machine, a still-absorber adapted to contain a liquid, an inclined pipe through which gas may flow from and return to said still-absorber, a chamber at the lower end of said pipe and adapted to contain a liquid, a conduit connecting said stillabsorber above the level of the liquid therein with said chamber, and which conduit,

terminates below the level of the liquid in said chamber, and extends above said level,

so that the liquid within said chamber may flow up into said conduit, and a second conduit extending from below the level of the liquid in said still-absorber into said chamher and terminating at the level of the liquid in said chamber.

10. In an ice making machine, the combination with a still-absorber, of an evaporator, a tank for cooling water, a condensing coil in said tank, a conduit connecting the still-absorber with the condensing coil and evaporator and through which gas may flow from the still-absorber to the condensing coil, and from the evaporator to the stillabsorber, a pipe connecting the bottom of the condensing coil with the evaporator, a pipe connecting the evaporator with the top of the condensing coil and with the conduit aforesaid, and hand operated valves in said pipes adapted to exclude the evaporator during the heating period.

11. In an ice making machine, the combi-" nation of a still-absorber, a condenser connected with the still-absorber, an evaporator connected with the condenser at two points remote from one another, and hand operated valves for closing the connections between the evaporator and condenser during the heating of the still-absorber. v

12. In an ice making machine the combination of a still-absorber, a rectifier, a condenser and evaporator, all connected in an operative cycle, a chamber opening into said still-absorber near its bottom and adapted to partly drainsaid rectifier into the still-absorber and a gooseneck pipe connecting the top of the still-absorber withthe bottom of the rectifier.

13. In an ice making machine, the combination of a still-absorber, a rectifier," a condenser, an evaporator, all connected in an operative cycle, a pipe connecting the rectifier with the bottom of the still-absorber and extending with an upward in-' clination into the still-absorber and adapted to partly drain the rectifier and also provided with openings at the top and at the bottom of the inclined part within the stillabsorber.

14. In an ice making machine, the combination of a still-absorber, a rectifier, a condenser, an evaporator, all connected in an operative cycle, and a means for forming a liquid column in' the connections between the still-absorber and the 'rectifier adapted to direct the flow of gas during the absorbing period into the still-absorber at a point near its bottom.

'15. In an ice making machine, the combination of a still-absorber, a condenser, an evaporator, all connected in an operative cycle, and a means for forming a liquid column in the connections between the stillabsorber and the condenser adapted to direct the flow of gas during the absorbing period into the still-absorber at a point below the normal level of the liquid in the still-absorber.

16. In an ice making machine, the combination of a still-absorber, a condenser, an evaporator, all connected in an operative cycle, and a means for forming a liquid column in the connections between the still-absorber and the evaporator adapted to direct the flow of gas during the absorbing period into the still-absorber at a point below the normal level of the liquid in the still-absorber.

17. In an ice making machine, the combination with a still-absorber, of a condenser and an evaporator connected in an operative cycle to the stillabsorber above and below the normal level of liquid in the still-absorber, and means for forming a liquid column in the connections between the still-absorber and the evaporator adapted to direct the flow of gas during the absorbing period into the still-absorber at a point below its normal liquid level.

18. In an ice making machine the combination of a still-absorber, a rectifier, an evaporator, all connected in an operative cycle, an inclined pipe adapted to be entirely submerged in the liquid in the still absorber, openings in the upper and lower ends of said pipe, a goose-neck pipe connecting said rectifier into said still absorber, a pipe opening into said rectifier above the opening of said gooseneck pipe and into said inclined pipe; the said gooseneck pipe being adapted to oppose a liquid column to the passage of gas into said still absorber.

19. In an ice making machine the com bination of a still absorber, a rectifier, an evaporator, all connected in anoperative cycle, an inclined pipe adapted to be entirely submerged in the liquid in'the still absorber, openings in the upper and lower ends of said pipe, a gooseneck pipe connecting said rectifier into said still absorber, a pipe opening into said rectifier above the level of the opening of said gooseneck pipe and opening into said inclined pipe; the said gooseneck pipe being adapted to direct the flow of gas during the absorbing period into said inclined pipe.

20. In an ice making machine, the combination of a still-absorber, a. condenser, an evaporator, all connected in an operative cycle, and means for draining an excess of liquid from the bottom of the evaporator toward the absorber.

21. In an ice making machine the com' of the evaporator to said pipe at the desired maximum liquid level, the said tube being adapted to drain an excess of liquid from the bottom of the evaporator toward the still-absorber.

22. In an ice making machine, the combination f a still-absorber, a condenser, an evaporator, connections from said condenser and evaporator to said still-absorber above and below the normal level of liquid in said still-absorber and forming an operative cycle, means for forming a liquid column in the connections between the evaporator and the still-absorber adapted to direct the flow of gas during the absorbing period into the still-absorber at a point below its normal liquid level, and means for alternately heating and cooling the still-absorber.

23. In an ice making machine, the combination of a still-absorber, a condenser-evaporator connected to the still-absorber, and means for forming a liquid column in the connections between the condenser-evap0rator and the still-absorber adapted to direct the flow of gas during the absorbing period into the still-absorber at a point near its bottom.

24. In an ice making machine, the combination of a still-absorber, a condensing pipe draining toward said still-absorber, a condensing coil draining away from said gen-' erator, a reservoir at the base of said coil, a check valve between said pipe and said coil, an evaporator located above said con- (lensing pipe, pipes connecting said elements in an operative cycle, means for forming a column of liquid in said pipe connections adapted to direct the flow of gas during the absorbing period into the stil -absorber at a point below its normal liquid level, means for cooling the condensing pipe coil and reservoir, and means for alternately heating and cooling the still-absorber.

25. In an ice making machine, the combination of a still-absorber, a condenser-evap0 rator, an outflow pipe and a return flow pipe connecting the still absorber with the condenser-evaporator, means for forming a column of liquid in the out flow pipe during the absorbing period adapted to direct the flow of gas into the still-absorber through the return flow pipe.

26. In an ice making machine, the combination of a still-absorber, a condenser-evaporator, an out flow pipe connecting the stillabsorber at a high level with theucondenserevaporator, a return flow pipe connecting the still-absorber at a low level with the condenser-evaporator, and means for forming a liquid column in the outflow pipe during the absorbing period adapted to direct the flow of gas into the still-absorber through the return flow pipe.

27. In an ice making mach1ne, the combinationof a still-absorber, a rectlfying pipe a condensing draining into the still absorbcr at a low level,

coil connected to the rectifyheck valve interposed between mg the rectifying pipe and the 0011, a reservoir at the base of said coil, and connected thereto,'an evaporator situated abovesaid rectifying pipe and connected .to said reservoir and to said rectifying pipe, a trap in said rectifying pipe, a pipe opening into said still-absorber at a high level and into said trap at a low level and adapted to direct the passage at a low level, and means for alternately heating and cooling said still-absorber.

28. In an icemakin machine, the combination of a still-absor r, a rectifying pipe draining into thestill-absorber at a lowlevel, a condensing coil connected to the rectifying pipe, a check valve interposed beof gas into the still-absorber tween the rectifying .pipe and the coil, an 0 evaporator situated a above said rectifying pipe and connected to said eoilaand to" said rectifying pipe, means for excluding the evaporator from the operative cycle during the distilling period, a trapqin said reoti-. 25 fying. pipe, a pipe opening'into the still at a high level and into the trap at a low level and adapted to direct the passage of ;gas into the still through the low level opening, and means for alternately heating 30 and cooling said still-absorber. Signed at Cranford inthe county of Union and State of New Jersey this ninth day of November A. D. 1912.

HENRY ELMER WILLSIE.

H. Wnasm,

Tnaonon A. 'Honcx. 

